Mysticism of Great Sufi Poet of India, Baydel Dehlavi

The incomparable 17th century India-born Sufi poet of Mughal court, Abdul Qader Baydel, is one of the least known of Persian Sufi poets--even among the Persian speakers. If you've ever been to Delhi in India, particularly, if you've visited the Red Fort in Old Delhi, the Farsi writings on its walls are precisely Baydel's outstanding Sufi infused poems.Sadly, while Rumi is a household name and the widely read Persian poem here in our beloved America, Baydel's deep mystical poetry is still very little known. Baydel's lack of recognition is not limited just to America or the West in general, but it's also a known fact even amongst the Persian speakers-- while Baydel is a household name, revered as a saint, a sage and a seer, and the third most important poet in Afghanistan [after Rumi and Hafiz]; in Iran and Tajikistan, Baydel is barely known or just recently is being paid attention to.

In my humble opinion, the main reason behind Baydel's lack of recognition, both in the East and the West, lies in the fact that his style of writing, and the deep mystical thoughts that each of his rhythmic verses hold are very difficult to grasp--even for the native Persian speakers! Each poem of Baydel must be read, reread, and read again, in order to understand its intended Sufi infused mystical meanings and messages.

So, it's against this challenging backdrop that I've attempted to translate some of his poems. I'm neither a scholar of Baydel, nor a professional translator, therefore, if you're reading my translations and feel that they're not doing any justice to Baydel's very deep mysticism, please feel free to share your comments and constructive criticisms.

Baydel is a proud and unapologetic poet, and he bluntly warns us first hand:

The superior level of my inner meaningsrequires a strong intellectit's not that easy to grasp my thoughts.I'm a tall mountainI've got steep hill!My sea of temperament, Baydelis the swell waves of inner meanings.Whenever I feel like writing a verse,I've already got the whole poem!Quit learning and profitingQuit any desires and wishesDrink wine and live joyouslyThat's what I do for living!

If I'm in the Sufi state of Fana or self-annihilation,
then what's this burning passion for life?
If I'm in the Sufi state of Baqa or eternal union with Godthen why am I still annihilated?Be proud o imagination, be proud
for I still believe in life
though I'm already annihilated!O LordIn this house of despair we call lifeno one has endured the kind of death I endure:I live to die without You my Friend.Have a good laugh
o appreciators of the momentI've seen myself laughing at myself.

چنين کشته حسرت کيستم من

که چون اتش از سوختن زيستم من

نه شادم نه محزون نه لفظم نه مضمون

نه چرخم نه گردون چه معنيستم من

اگر فانيم چيست اين شور هستي

وگر باقيم ارچه فانيستم من

بناز اي تخيل ببال اي توهم

که هستي گمان دارم و نيستم من

در اين غمکده کس مميراد يارب

به مرگي که بي دوستان زيستم من

بخنديد اي قدر دانان فرصت

که يک خنده بر خويش نگريستم من

Baydel:in your worshiping and bowing downbe as you are.As long as you carrythe load of your ego on your shoulders,you'll bend your back.Learn from this inabilityembedded in your nature:You can't be God,try acting like a human!